THERE ARE CATS IN THIS BOOK

Age Range: 2 - 5

Pub Date: Nov. 1st, 2008ISBN: 978-0-7636-3923-5Publisher: Candlewick

Interactive flaps and a chatty, informal text in speech balloons (“Hello. Who are you?” / “Are you nice?” / “You look nice”) invite readers to play with felines Tiny, Moonpie and André. The pages overflow with everything cats love: blankets to hide under, yarn to tangle and boxes for jumping into and out of. When a tidal wave of fish threatens to sweep the animals out of the book, the cats command the reader: “TURN…” / “THE” / “PAGE!” / “You did it! You saved us. Phew!” / “…Can you dry us, too?” / “Just blow on the page…” Sequential flaps—multiples overlap on many pages—make the game potentially endless, as readers are given permission to go back as well as forward. The eye-catching art features highly expressive cats in black line and red, yellow and blue watercolors, contrasting with collages depicting a knitted quilt, realistic fish, vibrantly patterned fabric, bright balls of yarn and highly decorated cardboard boxes. With a sense of immediacy and fun, this will provoke giggles and demands for numerous re-reads. A great choice for group sharing as well as one-on-one reader empowerment. (Lift-the-flap picture book. 2-5)